Keytruda plus radiation shows promise against lung cancer
NCT ID NCT02444741
First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested whether combining the immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab (Keytruda) with precise radiation therapy could help people with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The trial enrolled 124 participants with stage IV disease. The goal was to see if the combination could shrink tumors and slow cancer growth. The approach uses radiation to kill cancer cells while pembrolizumab helps the immune system attack the cancer throughout the body.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) plus radiation therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this combination could offer a new treatment option for advanced lung cancer, potentially shrinking tumors and delaying disease progression.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-phase trial (Phase I/II) with a modest number of participants. Results may not apply to all patients, and side effects from combining immunotherapy with radiation are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
M D Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
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